Timing mechanism



July 14, 1942. w. J. HAAG TIMING MECHANI SM Filed April 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WALTER HAHG ATTORN EY W. J. HAAG TIMING MEGHANISM July 14, 1942.

Filed April 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 24l as' .fsf ai 54 19e la 19d 196 I7 1,96 f6 E 12 14 5 ./.f

INVENTOR WALTER J. HAAG ATTORNEY- Patented July 14, 1942 TDVIING MECHANISM Walter J. Haag, Dayton, Ohio, assigner to The Brownell Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corpora.-

tion of Ohio Application April 25, 1940, Serial No. 331,618

9 Claims.

This invention relates to timing mechanism and this application is a division of my co-pending application, Serial Number 284,564, filed July 14, 1939, for Intermittent stroke control for ram-feed stokers.

The present invention has particular application to apparatus wherein the operation of certain parts have a sequential or timed relation to the operation of certain other parts, and has for a particular object the provision of timing mechanism for this purpose, having control means for readily altering or changing the timed relation of the operation of parts of the apparatus to which the invention is applied.

A further object of the invention is to provide timing mechanism of the type referred to, comprising means for actuating a related instrumentality a predetermined number of times during a given period and including control means for regulating the number of actuations of such part during a given period, by the operation of which control means the number of actuations of such part during a given period may be increased or decreased, as desired, to suit conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide trip mechanism for co-action with the vanes of the timing gear, comprising novel means for preventing injury to either the timing gear or trip mechanism resulting from varying the position of the latter during rotation of said gear.

Another object of the invention is the provision of quick-acting switch means for energizing the solenoid upon actuation of the trip mechanism.

While the timing mechanism of the present invention has been particularly designed for use in connection with apparatus of the type described in my co-pending application, above identified, said timing mechanism has application to a wide variety of uses and various types of apparatus as will readily appear to those skilled in the art.

My co-pending application, above identified, is, however, referred to by way of example of the manner in which the timing mechanism of the instant application may be employed for one of the uses to which it is suited.

In carrying my invention into practice, in one embodiment of the invention, the same comprises a timing gear provided with peripheral vanes of graduated axial lengths, trip mechanism designed to co-act with such vanes, switch means associated with said trip mechanism, and control means for shifting the position of the trip mechanism to position the same for co-action with a particular desired number of the vanes provided on the timing gear.

An embodiment of the invention, comprising the structure just generally above mentioned, is more particularly described in the annexed specication and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of apparatus embodying the invention, parts of the same being shown in section.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the instrumentalities shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an end view of the device showing more particularly the control instrumentalities.

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram showing the switch means of the invention in relation to a part actuated thereby and a source of power for operation of such part.

Now Vreferring to the drawings for a detailed description of the invention, as seen best in Figure 2, a shaft l is provided at one end with a pinion 2 meshing with a timing gear 3. The timing gear 3 is journaled on a stub shaft 4, secured to a housing 5. The timing gear 3 is provided with a plurality of vanes 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 'lg and 'lh extending from the periphery of the timing gear. These vanes are of graduated axial lengths ranging from shortest to longest in the order named for a purpose to be hereinafter pointed out.

The number of vanes which will preferably be provided on the timing gear will be determined by the ratio of the pinion 2 to the gear 3, since the vanes are equidistantly spaced from eachother on the periphery of the `gear and the distance between them is the length of the arc of movement of the gear 3 during a complete revolution of the p-inion 2.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, there are provided trip instrumentalities designed to co-act with one or more of the vanes 'l for actuating `switch means cooperating with said trip instrumentalities. There is also provided control means for moving the trip instrumentalities -axially respecting the timing gear to position said instrumentalities for co-action With a predetermined desired number of the vanes 1.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the ratio of the pinion 2 to the timing gear 3 is one to eight, and, consequently, there are provided on the 4periphery of said gear eight equidistantly spaced vanes l. Hence, if the trip instrumentalities are positioned for engagement with all of the vanes l of the timing gear 3 during a complete revolution of the latter,.the switch cooperating with said trip instrumentalities will be actuated once during each complete revolution of the pinion.

As mentioned above, the vanes 'I' are of different axial lengths and the trip instrumentalities are movable axially respecting the timing gear 3 so as to engage any desired number of vanes l from none to eight.

The timing gear 3 is positioned on the shaft l by a suitable lock nut 3 and washer 9. Pivotally mounted on an extension 5a. of the shaft 4 is a balance bar It which is axially positioned respecting the said shaft by the shoulder 4b bearing against one edge of said bar I and a sleeve II bearing against the opposite edge of said bar. A mercury switch I2, secured between t'ne clam-ping portions I3 of a bracket I4, is rockably mounted upon the shaft ta, the bracket I`4 comprising depending legs Ma and Iib journaled upon the sleeve l l and the shoulder portion 4b.

The trip instrumentalities, which co-act with the timing gear vanes to cause actuation of the switch means above mentioned, will now be described.

A rock shaft l5 is pivotally connected to the balance bar It, as at I5a, and secured to the rock shaft I5 is a link I5 pivoted, as at Il, to a crank I8a of a crank shaft Iii, journaled in bearings 5a and 5b of the casing 5. Mounted for sliding movement along the crank shaft I5 is a forked trip member i9 which is adapted to be oscillated upon a corresponding movement of the crank shaft I9. For this purpose the crank shaft I8 is preferably rectangular in cross section, except at its ends which are rotatably journaled in the casing, and the trip member I9 is provided with a corresponding rectangular opening I9a for cooperation with said shaft. The trip member I9 comprises a pivoted trigger portion I9b pivoted to the trip member, as at I9c, and comprising a lever extension Idd to which is secured one end of a spring 29, the other end of said spring being secured to the trip member I9, as at 2|.

The trigger Isl) is thus normally positioned, as shown by the solid lines in Figure 3, with the lever extension I9d in abutment with the hub portion Ide of said trip member.

Control means, now to be described, are provided for shifting the trip member I9 axially respecting the timing gear 3, to position the trip member for co-action with a pre-determined number of the vanes l on said gear. A lever 22 for moving the trip member I9 axially respecting the crank shaft I8 is journaled upon the inner end of a stub shaft 23, secured to the casing 5, and comprises a rod 24 extending between the bifurcations I9f and I9g of the trip member I9.

Formed integral with the base or hub portion 22a, of the lever 22 is a gear segment 22h meshing with a pinion 25a xed to the inner end of a lever 25 journaled in the housing 5. The diameter of the pinion 25a is proportionately less than the diameter of the gear segment 22h so that a given arc of movement of the lever 25 will induce a proportionately smaller arc of movement of the lever 22, the ratio of the pinion 25a to gear segment 22h being, in the present instance, one to three.

The handle portion 25h of the lever 25 is provided with a plunger 25e normally pressed inwardly toward the casing 5 by a spring 25d bearing against the enlarged end 25e of said plunger. A handle 25j is provided for withdrawing the plunger against the compression of the spring. The pointed inner end 25g of the plunger is adapted to engage one or the other of a plurality of recesses 26 in the casing 5, designated by corresponding number indicia 2l on said casing, as shown in Figure 4. The number indicia 2l, related to respective recesses 256, indicate corresponding positions of the levers 25 and 22 such that when the pointed end 25g of the plunger 25 is engaged in a particular one of said recesses 26, the trip member I9 will be positioned for engagement with a given number of the vanes l, determining the number of times the trip instrumentalities will be actuated during a revolution of the timing gear.

The mercury switch I2 comprises` the usual glass tube I`2a containing mercury Ib from which tube terminals 28 and 29a. lead respectively to the solenoid 30 and the power lines 29 to which are inter-connected the motor 3l for driving the shaft I, the starter 32 for said motor, and the limit control switch 33 for said starter.

When the trip member I9 is in such a position axially respecting the rock shaft I8 as to permit engagement of one or more of the vanes la, lb, lc, ld, le, lf, lg or lh with the trigger I9b, each engagement of one of said vanes with said trigger will cause the trip member I9 t0 be moved in the direction of the dotted line position thereof, shown in Figure l, resulting in corresponding rocking movement of the crank shaft I8 and crank ISa acting to draw upwardly the link I6 and consequently the balance bar I5, which, under such condition, engages the bracket I 4 to cause the same to be rocked in a counterclockwise direction respecting the shaft 4a causing the mercury I2b to flow in a leftward direction in the tube I2a, respecting Figure l, so that the mercury completes a circuit through the terminals 28 and 28a, as indicated in Figure 5. Completion of this circuit energizes the solenoid 30.

It will be noted that the number indicia 2l ranging from 0 to 8, corresponding to respective recesses 26 in Figure 4, are in reverse order from the order in which they appear in Figure 8 of my co-pending parent application, above identied. The reason for this is that in the instant case the number indicia 2l, opposite which the control handle 25j is positioned, designates the number of times that the trip member I9 is engaged by a vane or vanes 'I during a complete revolution of the timing gear 3, while in the parent application, on the other hand, the particular number indicia 54, opposite which the control handle 52j is set, indicates the rate of fuel feed by'reference to the number of times the ram is connected with the crank during a complete revolution of the timing gear.

The rightward axial extremities of the vanes 'I are in a common vertical plane, having reference to Figure 3, but, as above mentioned, said vanes are of graduated axial lengths ranging from the length of the vane la, which is the shortest, to that of vane lh, which is the longest. Each of the other vanes is of a different axial length intermediate the lengths of the vanes lfb and lh. Thus when the trip member I9 is positioned at its rightward extremity of axial movement, having reference to Figure 3, said member will be engaged by all of the vanes l during a complete revolution of the gear 3 and as said member is progressively moved in a leftward direction to various positions indicated by the number indicia 2l, it Will be positioned for engagement with a less number of said vanes corresponding to the numerical position of the control handle 52j. Said vanes range in order of their length from shortest to longest in the following order: la, lb, lc, ld, le, lf, 1g and 1h. Upon reference to Figure 1, it will be noticed, however, that this order of the range of the length of said vanes does not follow the order of their proximity to one another. For example, vane ib, which is next in length to 1a, is diametrically opposite the latter. Vane 7c, which is next in length to 1b, is not immediately pro-ximate, vane 'Ie intervening. Vane 1d, Which is next in length to vane 'Ic is again diametrically opposite the latter. Vane le, which is next in length to vane l'd, is substantially opposite the latter, while vane if is again diametrically opposite le, and varies lg and l'h, the former being the next in length to the latter, which is the longest, are also diametrically opposite.

The reason for the arrangement of the vanes as just described is to space the respective actuations of the switch I2 as nearly as possible at equal intervals throughout a given period such as that dened by a complete revolution of the timing gear 3.

The range of possible variations in number of actuations of the switch I2 during a given period is determined by the number of vanes with which the timing gear is provided. In the present instance the timing gear is provided with eight vanes so that it is possible to secure a variation from zero to eight in the number of actuations of the switch I2 during the pre-determined period required for a complete revolution of the timing gear.

Operation We will assume that the control lever 25 is in its zero position with the pointed inner end 25g of the plunger 25o engaging in the recess 26 designated by the numeral 0. The trip member I9 will, therefore, be positioned in the dotted line position of Figure 3, that is, with the trigger portion ISU out of engagement with any of the vanes I of the gear 3. We will also assume that the shaft I and pinion 2 are rotating at a constant speed in a direction to cause clockwise rotation of the gear 3, having reference to Figure 1, and that it is desired to energize the solenoid 30 once during every eight revoluti-ons of the pinion 2.

To a-ccomplish this, the control lever 25 will be moved in a leftward direction, having reference to Figure 4, so that the pointed end 25g of the plunger 25e will be engaged in the recess 25, designated by the numeral l of the number indicia 2l. Under such condition, the trip member I9 will have been moved, through the cooperation of pinion 25d and gear segment 22h for actuation of lever 22, in a rightward direction, having reference to Figure 3, from its dotted line position there shown, to a position in Which the trigger portion Iiib will be engaged by one only of the vanes l', the same being the vane of greatest axial length, namely vane 1h.

With the trip ymember I9 in the position just described, the trigger |317y will be engaged by the vane 'Ih once during each revolution of the gear 3, and, since the ratio of the pinion 2 and the gear 3 is one to eight, the said trip member will be caused to rock to the dotted line position of Figure 1 once during every eight revolutions of the pinion 2. As' previously' described, this rocking movement of the trip member I9 and its associated crank shaft I8 will, through the crank Ia and link I 6, cause the balance bar lil and the mercury switch I2 to be rocked in a counterclockwise direction, having reference to Figure 1, causing the mercury I2b to flow in a leitward direction in the tube I2a so that the mercury completes a circuit through the terminals 28 and 28a, as indicated in Figure 5, to energize the solenoid 30.

Continued rotation of the gear 3 moves the co-a'cting vane 'Ih out of engagement With the trigger Igb after the trip member has reached the limit of its rocking movement, as shown by the dotted line position in Figure 1, whereupon the Weight of balance bar I0 will cause the latter to move in a clockwise direction, having reference to Figure 1, to restore the mercury switch l2 and the trip member I9 to their normal positions indicated by solid lines in Figure 1.

Now, assuming that it is desired to energize the solenoid 30 ve times during yeach eight revolutions of the pinion 2. The control instrumentalities will be correspondingly moved to a position in which the control handle 25j registers with the numeral 5Vof the number indicia 21. In this position the trip instrumentalities Will have been axially moved respecting the timing gear 3 so that the trigger portion lSb of the trip member I9 will be engaged by five of the vanes 1 during each revolution of the gear 3. The varies 'I which Will co-act with the trigger portion when the trip member is in this position Will, of course, be the five vanes of greatest axial length, the same being 1h, 1g, 1f, 'le and 1d.

While the vanes just enumerated are not spaced at identically equal intervals on the periphery of the timing gear 3, they are, nevertheless, spaced at intervals as nearly as possible spread out on the periphery of said timing gear in View of the fact all positions of adjustment of the trip member also make desirable as nearly as possible equal spacing of the Vanes to be engaged during a revolution of the timing gear. Consequently, when the trip member I9 is in its position No. 5, just described, the solenoid 3i) Will be energized in the manner before described ve times during each eight revolutions of the pinion 2, and the times of energization will be spaced as nearly as possible at equal intervals throughout the period required for said pinion to make eight revolutions.

The foregoing Will be understood to be true as Well in reference to all other settings of the control handle 25j, that is, that the times of coaction of a particular number of vanes 'i with the trip member I9, and, consequently the times of actuation of the switch means I2, will be spaced at fairly equal intervals throughout the period required for `eight revolutions of the pinion 2 in respect to each setting of the control handle 52j.

It Will be noticed that the relation of the trigger ld to the trip member I9 is such that the latter may be shifted axially respecting the crank shaft I8 regardless of the position of rotation of the timing gear 3. Should the trip member I9 happen to be moved rightwardly, referring to Figure 3, from the dotted line position, indicated in Figure 3, at a time when such axial shifting of the trip member would cause the trigger ISb to engage the outer edge of one of the vanes on the timing gear 3, the trigger |91) would simply be caused to move about its pivot lc to the angular dotted line position of Figure 3, during such axial shifting of the trip member I9, without injury thereto.

Further rotation of the timing gear 3, moving the vane so engaged out of contact with the trigger lh, will result in restoration of the vertical position of the trigger ISU by action of the spring 2).

Upon reference to Figures l and 3 it will be noticed that the bracket I4 is spaced somewhat from the upper edge of the balance bar Il) resulting in a certain amount of play between the bracket and said bar. This provision has the following result. The flow of mercury |21) in the tube l2 lags somewhat behind the speed of flow which would normally result from the angular movement of the bar I!) if the bracket and bar were integral. At the moment the mercury overbalances the bracket I4 in the direction of the terminals 28 and 28a., however, said bracket moves with greater rapidity toward the limit of its overbalanced position in that direction, as defined by the abutment of said bracket with said bar. Furthermore, When the tube l2 is returned toward normal position by the balance bar after an engaging vane passes out of co-action with the trip member I9, the flow of mercury in said tube lags again, resulting in maintaining the solenoid 3Q energized longer than would otherwise be the case,

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a device of the class described, in combination, a timing member including spaced trip engaging elements, trip instrumentalities operable upon engagement with said elements during movement of said member, said instrumentalities being movable relative to said member to position said instrumentalities for engagement with pre-selected ones of said elements, said instrumentalities including a trip member comprising parts pivoted to swing integrally in one plane respecting said timing member upon actuating engagement of said elements therewith, one of said parts being pivotally movable relative to the other part in another plane upon engagement of one of said elements therewith during positioning movement of said instrumentalities F relative to said timing member, and neans yieldably resisting pivotal movement of said one part respecting said other part.

2. In a device of the class described, in combination, a timing member including spaced trip engaging elements, a trip member operable upon engagement with said elements during movement of said timing member, a pivoted supporting bar therefor, Isaid trip member being longitudinally movable relative to said bar to position said trip member for engagement with pre-selected ones of said elements, said trip member being connected to said bar for transmission of angular movement of said trip member to said bar, and switch means associated with said bar for actuation thereby upon angular movement of said trip member.

3. In a device of the class described, in combination, a timing member including spaced trip engaging elements, a trip member operable upon engagement with said elements during movement of said timing member, a pivoted supporting bar therefor, said trip member being longitudinally movable relative to said bar to position said trip member for engagement with pre-selected ones of said elements, said trip member being connected to said bar for transmission of angular movement of said trip member to said bar, and switch means associated with said bar for actuation thereby upon angular movement of said trip member, said trip member including a fork, and control means for positioning the trip for engagement with the desired number of said elements including a pivoted lever having a part engaging said fork.

4. In a device of the class described, in combination, a rotatable timing member having circular periphery, a plurality of equally spaced vanes extending therefrom, said vanes being progressively graduated in respect to their axial lengths and each having a different axial length, a trip member operable upon engagement with said vanes during rotation of said timing member, apivoted supporting bar for said trip member, said trip member being longitudinally movable relative to said bar to position said trip member axially respecting said timing member for engagement with preselected ones of said vanes, those vanes next in the progression of their axial lengths being arranged on the periphery of the timing member in such a manner that when the trip member is positioned for actuation by any desired number of said vanes, the actuations will be spaced as nearly as possible at equal intervals throughout the cycle of a complete revolution of the timing member.

5. In a device of the class described, in combination, a rotatable timing member having circular periphery, a plurality of equally spaced vanes extending therefrom, said vanes being progressively graduated in respect to their axial lengths and each having a different axial length, a trip member operable upon engagement with said vanes during rotation of said timing member, a pivoted supporting bar for said trip member, said trip member being longitudinally movable relative to said bar to position said trip member axially respecting said timing member for engagement with preselected ones of said vanes, those vanes next in the progression of their axial lengths being arranged on the periphery of the timing member in such a manner that when the trip member is positioned for actuation by any desired number of said vanes, the actuations will be spaced as nearly as possible at equal intervals throughout the cycle of a complete revolution of the timing member, said trip member being connected to said bar for transmission of angular movement of said trip member to said bar, and switch operating means associated with said bar for actuation thereby upon angular movement of said trip member.

6. In a device of the class described, in combination, a timing member including spaced trip engaging elements, a trip member operable upon engagement with said elements during movement of said timing member, a pivoted supporting bar therefor, said trip member being longitudinally movable relative to said bar to position said trip member for engagement with preselected ones of said elements, said trip member being connected to said bar for transmission of angular movement of said trip member to said bar, said trip member comprising pivotally connected parts adapted to swing integrally in one plane respecting said timing member upon actuating engagement of said elements therewith, one of said parts being pivotally movable relative to the other part in another plane upon engagement of one of said elements therewith during positioning movement of said trip member, and means for restoring the normal relation of said parts.

7. In a device of the class described, in combination, a timing member including spaced trip engaging elements, a trip member operable upon engagement with said elements during movement of said timing member, a pivoted supporting bar therefor, said trip member being longitudinally movable relative to said bar to pesition said trip member for engagement with preselected ones of said elements, said trip member being connected to said bar for transmission of angular movement of said trip member to said bar, a pivoted switch member, and means operable upon angular movement of said bar for pivoting said switch member to contacting position.

8. In a device of the class described, in combination, a timing member, trip instrumentalities periodically operable thereby, and switch means operable by said trip instrumentalities, said switch means comprising a mercury switch, a loosely pivoted bracket carrying the same, a balance bar pivoted on the axis of said bracket and engaging the same in either contacting or non-contacting position of the switch and normally maintaining the same in the latter position, the bracket and balance bar being so mounted as to permit relative movement therebetween, and means operable by said trip instrumentalities for moving said switch to contacting position.

9. In a device of the class described, in combination, a timing member including spaced trip engaging elements, a trip member operable upon engagement with said elements during movement of said timing member, a pivoted supporting bar therefor, said trip member being longitudinally movable relative to said bar to position said trip member for engagement with pre- Aselected ones oi said elements, said trip member being connected to said bar for transmission of angular movement of said trip member to said bar, a pivoted switch member, a balance bar pivoted on the axis of said switch member and engaging the same in either contacting or noncontacting position of the switch and normally maintaining the same in the latter position, a crank on the pivoted bar, and means interconnecting the crank and the balance bar for moving the switch to contacting position upon angular movement of the pivoted bar, the switch and balance bar being so mounted as to permit relative movement therebetween.

WALTER J. HAAG. 

